Summer heaven: Dozens loving swimming hole after Makotuku clean-up

The new Makotuku swimming hole near Raetihi is proving very popular. Photo / Lin Ferguson

The Raetihi Promotions group were thrilled their volunteer community work clearing bush alongside the Makotuku River near the town has had such astounding results.

Chairman Geoff Anderson said the group had used a small amount of the fine fund of $100,000 awarded to the town from the 2013 Makotuku Stream diesel spill.

"Just to have a bit of machine work done.''

The clean-up has meant the town now has a marvellous bush walk and swimming hole, he said.

"There is more to do and right now people love the area.''

About 50 to 60 kids and families are swimming in the swimming hole every week, Mr Anderson said.

"It's just so popular they're loving being there, having picnics, swimming. Just enjoying a really great recreation space on their doorstep.''

Mr Anderson said they had also discovered a beautiful stand of native bush along the river.

This cleared-out area is very special to the town and the people are always saying how they love it, he said.

More is planned for the banks of the Makotuku but like all community projects it has to be discussed at meetings before anything can go ahead, he said.

A cycleway is also in the planning.

"Unfortunately there are people who are not keen on it, believing it will maybe attract a rough element. It needs to be discussed further.''

People put forward ideas for how the fine money from the spill should be spent and then voted on six options. Project Waireka for under-bench filtration units was the most popular. That used $85,000 of the community project fund, leaving $15,000 for the second most popular choice.

Governance committee chairman John Hotter had said the second most popular project was five separate projects combined into a single proposal called the Raetihi Five United Projects by Raetihi Promotions.

The five projects are a village rainwater well, a town sculpture project, riparian management along the Makotuku River, repair and upgrade of the Domain tennis courts and the upgrade of the Makotuku River walkway.

"By working within the Raetihi revitalisation concept plans framework, there were opportunities to ensure there was a common theme to any township projects as well as opportunities to obtain additional funding that would allow the expansion of the projects," Mr Hotter said.